US9181612B2 - Manufacturing equipment for galvannealed steel sheet, and manufacturing method of galvannealed steel sheet - Google Patents

Manufacturing equipment for galvannealed steel sheet, and manufacturing method of galvannealed steel sheet Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US9181612B2
US9181612B2 US13/819,593 US201113819593A US9181612B2 US 9181612 B2 US9181612 B2 US 9181612B2 US 201113819593 A US201113819593 A US 201113819593A US 9181612 B2 US9181612 B2 US 9181612B2
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
tub
bath
coating
dross
concentration
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active, expires
Application number
US13/819,593
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
US20130156964A1 (en
Inventor
Nobuyoshi Okada
Masanori Hoshino
Atsushi Sakatoku
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nippon Steel Corp
Original Assignee
Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Corp filed Critical Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Corp
Assigned to NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION reassignment NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HOSHINO, MASANORI, OKADA, NOBUYOSHI, SAKATOKU, ATSUSHI
Publication of US20130156964A1 publication Critical patent/US20130156964A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US9181612B2 publication Critical patent/US9181612B2/en
Assigned to NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION reassignment NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
Active legal-status Critical Current
Adjusted expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
    • C23C2/00—Hot-dipping or immersion processes for applying the coating material in the molten state without affecting the shape; Apparatus therefor
    • C23C2/50—Controlling or regulating the coating processes
    • C23C2/52—Controlling or regulating the coating processes with means for measuring or sensing
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
    • C23C2/00—Hot-dipping or immersion processes for applying the coating material in the molten state without affecting the shape; Apparatus therefor
    • C23C2/003—Apparatus
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22C—ALLOYS
    • C22C18/00—Alloys based on zinc
    • C22C18/04—Alloys based on zinc with aluminium as the next major constituent
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
    • C23C2/00—Hot-dipping or immersion processes for applying the coating material in the molten state without affecting the shape; Apparatus therefor
    • C23C2/003—Apparatus
    • C23C2/0036—Crucibles
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
    • C23C2/00—Hot-dipping or immersion processes for applying the coating material in the molten state without affecting the shape; Apparatus therefor
    • C23C2/04—Hot-dipping or immersion processes for applying the coating material in the molten state without affecting the shape; Apparatus therefor characterised by the coating material
    • C23C2/06—Zinc or cadmium or alloys based thereon
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
    • C23C2/00—Hot-dipping or immersion processes for applying the coating material in the molten state without affecting the shape; Apparatus therefor
    • C23C2/04—Hot-dipping or immersion processes for applying the coating material in the molten state without affecting the shape; Apparatus therefor characterised by the coating material
    • C23C2/12—Aluminium or alloys based thereon
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
    • C23C2/00—Hot-dipping or immersion processes for applying the coating material in the molten state without affecting the shape; Apparatus therefor
    • C23C2/325—Processes or devices for cleaning the bath
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
    • C23C2/00—Hot-dipping or immersion processes for applying the coating material in the molten state without affecting the shape; Apparatus therefor
    • C23C2/34—Hot-dipping or immersion processes for applying the coating material in the molten state without affecting the shape; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the material to be treated
    • C23C2/36—Elongated material
    • C23C2/40—Plates; Strips
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
    • C23C2/00—Hot-dipping or immersion processes for applying the coating material in the molten state without affecting the shape; Apparatus therefor
    • C23C2/50—Controlling or regulating the coating processes
    • C23C2/52—Controlling or regulating the coating processes with means for measuring or sensing
    • C23C2/521—Composition of the bath
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
    • C23C2/00—Hot-dipping or immersion processes for applying the coating material in the molten state without affecting the shape; Apparatus therefor
    • C23C2/50—Controlling or regulating the coating processes
    • C23C2/52—Controlling or regulating the coating processes with means for measuring or sensing
    • C23C2/522—Temperature of the bath

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to manufacturing equipment for a galvannealed steel sheet and a manufacturing method of the galvannealed steel sheet.
  • it relates to the equipment and the method for the galvannealed steel sheet to make dross, which forms when the galvannealed steel sheet is manufactured, harmless.
  • Hot dip zinc-aluminum coated steel sheets have been widely used in the fields of automobiles, consumer electronics, building materials and the like.
  • a representative category of the coated steel sheets includes the following three types in order of aluminum (Al) content in coating bath.
  • Galvannealed steel sheets composition of coating bath: for example, 0.125 to 0.14 mass % Al—Zn
  • Zinc-aluminum alloy coated steel sheets composition of coating bath: for example, 2 to 25 mass % Al—Zn
  • the hot dip zinc-aluminum coated steel sheets are steel sheets which are coated by using the coating bath including molten metal such as molten zinc and molten aluminum.
  • molten metal such as molten zinc and molten aluminum.
  • zinc (Zn) is the main ingredient
  • aluminum (Al) is added in order to improve coating adhesion and corrosion resistance
  • substances such as magnesium (Mg), silicon (Si) and the like may be added in order to improve the corrosion resistance.
  • the galvannealed steel sheet is referred to as “GA” and the coating bath for manufacturing the galvannealed steel sheet is referred to as “galvannealed bath (GA bath)”.
  • the galvanized steel sheet is referred to as “GI” and the coating bath for manufacturing the galvanized steel sheet is referred to as “galvanized bath (GI bath)”.
  • the dross is made of intermetallic compounds of Iron (Fe) dissolved in the coating bath from the steel sheet and Al or Zn included in the coating bath (molten metal).
  • Specific compositions of the intermetallic compounds are, for example, Fe 2 Al 5 which represents top-dross and FeZn 7 which represents bottom-dross.
  • the top-dross may form in all of the coating bath (for example, GA bath, GI bath) for manufacturing the hot dip zinc-aluminum coated steel sheets.
  • the bottom-dross only forms in the galvannealed bath (GA bath).
  • the top-dross Since the specific gravity of the top-dross is smaller than that of the molten metal which is the coating bath, the top-dross flows in the coating bath, and finally rises to top surface of the coating bath.
  • the top-dross accumulates on the surface of the roll in the coating bath, which may cause surface defects on the steel sheets.
  • the flowing top-dross accumulates in grooves of the roll in the coating bath, which may cause roll-slipping and roll-idling because of the decrease in the apparent friction coefficient between the roll and the steel sheet.
  • the quality of appearance of a product deteriorates and the product becomes off-grade in some cases.
  • the bottom-dross since the specific gravity of the bottom-dross is greater than that of the molten metal which is the coating bath, the bottom-dross flows in the coating bath, and finally deposits on the bottom of the coating tub.
  • the bottom-dross causes problems such as defects in the roll in the coating bath, roll-slipping, roll-idling, remarkable deterioration of the quality of the appearance which results from its adhesion to the steel sheet, and the like.
  • the bottom-dross does not rise to the top surface and is not rendered harmless like the top-dross.
  • the bottom-dross flows in the coating bath for a long time, and the bottom-dross, which deposits on the bottom of the coating tub once, reflows in the coating bath again by transition of the coating bath flow. Therefore, it can be said that the bottom-dross is more harmful than the top-dross.
  • the sheet threading speed of the steel sheet dipped into the coating bath is accelerated in order to improve productivity of the coated steel sheets
  • the bottom-dross which deposits on the bottom of the coating tub rises in the coating bath due to the coating bath flow which is derived from high-speed threading of the steel sheet.
  • the above-mentioned dross adheres to the steel sheet and causes the dross defects on the steel sheets, which results in a factor of degradation of the coated steel sheet. Therefore, hitherto, the sheet threading speed of the steel sheet was suppressed and the productivity had to be sacrificed in order to ensure the quality of the coated steel sheets.
  • Patent Document 1 dross removal equipment is suggested, in which molten zinc including the dross is transferred from a coating tub to a storage tub and the dross is separated by sedimentation and flotation by using the difference in specific gravity between the dross and the coating bath.
  • the capacity of the storage tub is 10 m 3 or more
  • the transfer volume of the molten zinc is 2 m 3 /hour or more
  • a baffle plate is installed in the storage tub to divert the coating bath flow.
  • the dross removal effect is overestimated because of utilization of an equation which is applicable to the particle sedimentation in case of a relatively slow coating bath flow.
  • the harmful size of dross is defined as 100 ⁇ m or more in Patent Document 1
  • the dross defects which are recently regarded as the problem include defects which are derived from dross with a size of approximately 50 ⁇ m.
  • a countermeasure with a greater effect than that of Patent Document 1 is necessary.
  • the capacity of the storage tub needs to be 42 m 3 or more, which is not practical because the equipment must be larger.
  • the countermeasure other than Patent Document 1 is necessary.
  • Patent Document 2 a coating equipment is suggested, in which enclosing parts are installed in a coating tub and the rise of the bottom-dross is suppressed by sedimenting and depositing the bottom-dross underneath the enclosing parts.
  • the bath flow at an upper area in the coating bath increases with an increase in coating rate, so that the bath flow at a lower area in the coating bath also increases gradually.
  • the dross with small size does not sediment and flows back to the upper area with the coating bath flow, the dross removal efficiency is low.
  • a coating container is divided into a coating tub and a dross removal tub, and the molten metal in the coating tub is transferred to the dross removal tub by using a pump. Moreover, the dross is separated by the sedimentation in the dross removal tub and the purified bath flows back in the coating tub through opening portion provided for the coating tub.
  • a method described in Patent Document 3 is the method in which the dross is separated by simply using the difference in specific gravity between the dross and the bath, separation efficiency of the dross with small size is low and the dross flows back to the coating tub with the coating bath flow.
  • the dross with small size which is formed in the coating tub circulates between the coating tub and the dross removal tub with the coating bath flow, grows with time passage, and finally sediments at the dross removal tub.
  • a large amount of the bottom-dross which grows up to size which is enable to sediment flows in the coating tub and the dross removal tub, so that it can be said that the effect of technology described in Patent Document 3 is low as the countermeasure against the dross defects.
  • the coating bath in a coating pot is transferred to a crystallization pipe, and is cooled and heated repeatedly several times in the crystallization pipe. Thereby, the dross is grown and removed, and the purified bath is reheated in a reheating tub and returned to the coating pot.
  • a sub pot is additionally installed in a coating pot. The molten metal which includes the bottom-dross is transferred from the coating pot to the sub pot, the bath in the sub pot is held at higher temperature than that of the coating pot, and Al concentration is increased 0.14 mass % or more. Thereby, the bottom-dross in the coating bath is transformed into the top-dross, and the top-dross is removed by the flotation separation.
  • the conventional dross removal methods described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are generally the method in which bath temperature control of the coating bath is not conducted and the dross is separated by the sedimentation and the flotation by simply using the difference in specific gravity between the dross and the coating bath.
  • the dross with small size flowed back to the coating tub with the coating bath flow, the dross could not be removed completely, and the dross removal efficiency was low.
  • the dross with small size in the coating bath circulates between the separation tub and the coating tub with the coating bath flow, grows with time passage, and finally sediments at the separation tub.
  • a large amount of the dross which grows up to size which is enable to sediment flows in the coating bath was low.
  • Patent Document 4 a method of removing the dross which is grown in the crystallization pipe is not disclosed.
  • the dross is removed by using a filter, exchange operation thereof is substantially impossible.
  • a sedimentation tub is additionally needed, so that operation is substantially difficult even if being theoretically possible. Therefore, it can be said that the method described in Patent Document 4 is not practical.
  • the coating bath in the sub pot is held at higher temperature than that of the coating pot, Al concentration is increased, the bottom-dross in the coating bath is transformed into the top-dross, and thereby the top-dross is removed by the flotation separation.
  • a part of the bottom-dross may be transformed into the top-dross and be removed by the flotation separation.
  • solubility limit of Fe of the coating bath increases drastically (saturated concentration of Fe in the coating pot of 0.03 mass %, saturated concentration of Fe in the sub pot of 0.09 mass % or more), most of the dross is dissolved in the coating bath. Namely, since the solubility limit of Fe of the coating bath increases with an increase in the bath temperature of the coating bath in the sub pot, most of the dross is dissolved in the coating bath, so that the dross cannot be separated by the flotation in the sub pot. Thus, when the coating bath in the sub pot is cooled and transferred to the coating pot, a large amount of the dross is formed, which is caused by the difference in Fe solubility.
  • Patent Document 5 is much doubtful about the dross removal effect in actuality. Moreover, in the method described in Patent Document 5, after the dross cleanup operation of the sub pot, the coating bath in the sub pot is cooled to the bath temperature of the coating pot, and the coating bath is reused. Therefore, since the dross cleanup operation of the sub pot must be batch processing, the dross removal efficiency is inferior to the case that the dross cleanup processing is consecutively conducted.
  • the method of the flotation separation of the top-dross is more advantageous than the method of the sedimentation separation of the bottom-dross.
  • the method of transforming the bottom-dross into the top-dross is necessary.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing equipment for a galvannealed steel sheet and a manufacturing method of a galvannealed steel sheet which are new and improved, in which the dross which forms inevitably in the coating bath during the manufacture of the galvannealed steel sheet can be removed efficiently and effectively and can be almost-completely rendered harmless.
  • the inventors has investigated with singleness of purpose in view of the above-mentioned circumstance, and found the method which almost-completely renders dross harmless (dross-free) by removing the dross efficiently and effectively within the system.
  • the method in which coating bath is circulated between the divided and installed 3 tubs which are a coating tub, a separating tub, and an adjusting tub, utilizes concurrently (1) a process of separating the dross by using the difference in specific gravity by precipitating the formed dross in the coating bath as top-dross in the separating tub where bath temperature thereof is lower than that of the coating tub and (2) a process of dissolving and removing the top-dross which is not able to be separated and removed in the separating tub by controlling Fe of the coating bath to be an unsaturated state in the adjusting tub where bath temperature thereof is higher than that of the separating tub.
  • each aspect of the present invention employs the following.
  • a manufacturing equipment for a galvannealed steel sheet according to an aspect of the invention includes:
  • a coating tub to coat a steel sheet which is dipped in a coating bath, wherein the coating tub has a first temperature controller to keep the coating bath which is a molten metal including a molten zinc and a molten aluminum to a predetermined bath temperature T1;
  • a separating tub to separate by a flotation a top-dross which is precipitated by controlling an aluminum concentration A2 of the coating bath transferred from the coating tub to be 0.14 mass % or more by supplying a first zinc-included-metal which includes an aluminum with a concentration higher than an aluminum concentration A1 of the coating bath in the coating tub, wherein the separating tub has a second temperature controller to keep the coating bath transferred through a coating bath outlet of the coating tub to a bath temperature T2 which is lower than the bath temperature T1;
  • an adjusting tub to adjust an aluminum concentration A3 of the coating bath transferred from the separating tub to a concentration which is higher than the aluminum concentration A1 and is lower than the aluminum concentration A2 by supplying a second zinc-included-metal which includes an aluminum with a concentration lower than the aluminum concentration A2 or does not include an aluminum, wherein the adjusting tub has a third temperature controller to keep the coating bath transferred from the separating tub to a bath temperature T3 which is higher than the bath temperature T2; and
  • a circulator to circulate the coating bath in order of the coating tub, the separating tub, and the adjusting tub.
  • the manufacturing equipment for the galvannealed steel sheet according to (a), the manufacturing equipment may further include,
  • an aluminum concentration analyzer to measure the aluminum concentration A1 of the coating bath in the coating tub
  • the circulator may control a circulating volume of the coating bath depending on a measurement result of the aluminum concentration analyzer.
  • the bath temperature T2 of the separating tub may be controlled by the second temperature controller to be lower 5° C. or more as compared with the bath temperature T1 of the coating tub and to be higher than a melting point of the molten metal.
  • the bath temperature T3 may be controlled by the third temperature controller so that the bath temperature T1, the bath temperature T2, and the bath temperature T3 satisfy a following formula (1) and a following formula (2) in celsius degree, when a difference of a bath temperature decrease of the coating bath when transferred from the adjusting tub to the coating tub is ⁇ T fall in celsius degree.
  • the manufacturing equipment for the galvannealed steel sheet according to (a), the manufacturing equipment may further includes,
  • a molten metal of the second zinc-included-metal which is melted in the premelting tub may be supplied to the coating bath in the adjusting tub.
  • the circulator may include a molten metal transfer apparatus which is installed in at least one of the coating tub, the separating tub, and the adjusting tub.
  • the coating bath outlet of the coating tub may be located on a downstream side of a running direction of the steel sheet so that the coating bath flows out of an upper part of the coating tub by a flow of the coating bath which is derived from a running of the steel sheet.
  • At least two of the coating tub, the separating tub, and the adjusting tub may be made by dividing one tub with a weir, and
  • a bath temperature of each tub which is divided by the weir may be controlled independently.
  • a storage of the coating bath in the coating tub may be five times or less of a circulating volume of the coating bath per one hour by the circulator.
  • a storage of the coating bath in the separating tub may be two times or more of a circulating volume of the coating bath per one hour by the circulator.
  • a manufacturing method of a galvannealed steel sheet according to an aspect of the invention includes:
  • a coating bath which is a molten metal including a molten zinc and a molten aluminum in order of a coating tub, a separating tub, and an adjusting tub;
  • an aluminum concentration A3 of the coating bath transferred from the separating tub to a concentration which is higher than the aluminum concentration A1 and is lower than the aluminum concentration A2 at the adjusting tub in which the coating bath transferred from the separating tub is stored at a bath temperature T3 which is higher than the bath temperature T2 of the separating tub and a second zinc-included-metal which includes an aluminum with a concentration lower than the aluminum concentration A2 of the coating bath in the separating tub or does not include an aluminum is supplied.
  • the coating bath is circulated in order of the coating tub, the separating tub, and the adjusting tub.
  • the stagnation time of the circulation bath can be shortened, so that it is possible to avoid that the dross forms in the coating tub and grows up to the harmful size.
  • Fe is supersaturated by decreasing the bath temperature of the circulation bath, so that it is possible to precipitate Fe of the coating bath as the top-dross, to also transform the bottom-dross with harmless size which is contained in the inflow bath into the top-dross, and to separate by the flotation.
  • Fe of the coating bath is unsaturated by increasing the bath temperature of the circulation bath, so that it is possible to dissolve and remove the top-dross with small size which is not able to be separated and removed in the separating tub and to adjust the composition of the coating bath transferred from the adjusting tub to the coating tub by supplying the metal.
  • the formation and growth of the dross are suppressed in the coating tub, the top-dross is separated and removed in the separating tub, and the residual dross is dissolved in the adjusting tub.
  • the Al concentration of the coating bath which is stored in the separating tub can be increased to the concentration which is required to be a top-dross formation range. Thereby, it is possible that the formed dross in the separating tub is controlled to be only the top-dross.
  • the solubility limit of Fe of the coating bath which is stored in the separating tub decreases. Thereby, it is possible that the dross which is equivalent to the amount of supersaturated Fe is intentionally precipitated.
  • the bath temperature of the coating bath which is stored in the adjusting tub is held higher than that of the separating tub and the bath temperature deviation of the coating bath in the coating tub decreases.
  • the circulating volume of the coating bath which circulates in order of the coating tub, the separating tub, and the adjusting tub is controlled.
  • the local stagnation area of the coating bath 10 A in the coating tub 1 is hardly formed. Thereby, it is possible to avoid that the dross grows up to the harmful size at the stagnation area in the coating tub 1 .
  • two or three tubs of the coating tub, the separating tub, and the adjusting tub are made as one. Thereby, it is possible to simplify the equipment configuration.
  • the stagnation time of the coating bath in the coating tub is shortened. Therefore, it is possible to make the dross flow out of the coating tub to the separating tub before the dross grows up to the harmful size.
  • the stagnation time of the coating bath in the separating tub is prolonged. Thereby, it is possible to sufficiently remove the top-dross at the separating tub.
  • FIG. 1 is a ternary phase diagram which indicates a dross formation range in various coating baths.
  • FIG. 2 is a graph which indicates dross growth of each phase under condition where bath temperature is constant.
  • FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram which illustrates a flowing situation of the dross in a coating tub.
  • FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram which illustrates a flowing situation of the dross in the coating tub.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram which illustrates a configuration 1 of manufacturing equipment for a galvannealed steel sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram which illustrates a configuration 2 of the manufacturing equipment for the galvannealed steel sheet according to modification 1 of the embodiment.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram which illustrates a configuration 3 of the manufacturing equipment for the galvannealed steel sheet according to modification 2 of the embodiment.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram which illustrates a configuration 4 of the manufacturing equipment for the galvannealed steel sheet according to modification 3 of the embodiment.
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram which illustrates a configuration 5 of the manufacturing equipment for the galvannealed steel sheet according to modification 4 of the embodiment.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram which illustrates permissible bath temperature range of each tub according to the embodiment when the bath temperature of the coating tub is 460° C.
  • FIG. 10 is the ternary phase diagram which indicates state transition of the coating bath in each tub according to the embodiment.
  • FIG. 11 is the ternary phase diagram which indicates a state of GA bath according to the embodiment.
  • FIG. 12 is a graph which indicates bath conditions where all precipitated dross is to be top-dross in a separating tub according to the embodiment.
  • FIG. 13 is a graph which indicates a relationship between capacity of the separating tub and a dross separation ratio according to examples of the present invention.
  • FIG. 14 is a graph which indicates a relationship between circulating volume of bath and dross size according to the examples.
  • FIG. 15 is a graph which indicates a relationship between a bath temperature deviation of an inflow bath of the coating tub and the dross size according to the examples.
  • the hot dip zinc-aluminum coated steel sheets are the steel sheets which are coated by using the molten metal in which zinc is the main ingredient and aluminum is added.
  • the galvannealed steel sheets For example, (1) the galvannealed steel sheets, (2) the galvanized steel sheets, and (3) the zinc-aluminum alloy coated steel sheets.
  • the galvannealed steel sheets (GA) are the steel sheets in which the Zn—Fe intermetallic compound layer is formed by heating for short time at 490 to 600° C. just after galvanizing and by alloying molten Zn and steel.
  • the GA is frequently utilized as automobile steel sheets and the like.
  • Coating layer of the GA includes the alloy of Fe which is dissolved in the coating bath from the steel sheet and Zn.
  • Composition of the coating bath (GA bath) for manufacturing the GA includes, for example, Al of 0.125 to 0.14 mass % and Zn as the balance.
  • the GA bath further includes Fe which is dissolved in the coating bath from the steel sheet.
  • the relatively low-concentration A1 is added to Zn bath in order to improve coating adhesion.
  • the Al concentration in the GA bath is excessively high, the alloying of Fe and Al in the coating layer barely occurs by so-called aluminum barriers, so that the Al concentration in the GA bath is controlled to a predetermined low concentration (0.125 to 0.14 mass %).
  • the galvanized steel sheets (GI) are frequently utilized as general building materials and the like.
  • Composition of the coating bath (GI bath) for manufacturing the GI includes, for example, Al of 0.15 to 0.25 mass % and Zn as the balance.
  • Al concentration of the GI bath By controlling the Al concentration of the GI bath to 0.15 to 0.25 mass %, the adhesion of the coating layer to the steel sheet is particularly improved, so that exfoliation of the coating layer can be suppressed even if the steel sheet is deformed.
  • the zinc-aluminum alloy coated steel sheets are frequently utilized as general building materials in which high durability is required and the like, for example.
  • Composition of the coating bath for manufacturing the above steel sheets is Al of 5 mass % and Zn as the balance, Al of 11 mass % and Zn as the balance, and the like. Since the sufficient amount of Al is contained in the Zn bath, higher corrosion resistance is obtained as compared with the GI.
  • the top-dross and the bottom-dross which are the intermetallic compounds of Fe dissolved in the coating bath and Al or Zn are formed in large amount.
  • the dross formation in the coating bath depends on temperature of the coating bath (bath temperature), the Al concentration in the coating bath, and Fe concentration in the coating bath (solubility of Fe dissolved in the coating bath from the steel sheet).
  • FIG. 1 is a ternary phase diagram which indicates the dross formation range in the various coating baths.
  • horizontal axis is the Al concentration (mass %) in the coating bath and vertical axis is the Fe concentration (mass %) in the coating bath.
  • the dross is formed.
  • the bath temperature T is 450° C. and the Al concentration is 0.13 mass %
  • the bottom-dross FeZn 7
  • the bath temperature T is 450° C.
  • the top-dross (Fe 2 Al 5 ) is formed when the Fe concentration becomes approximately more than 0.025 mass %
  • the bottom-dross (FeZn 7 ) is formed in addition to the top-dross when the Fe concentration further increases.
  • the top-dross and the bottom-dross are formed and mixed under the conditions.
  • the Al concentration of the GI bath (for example, 0.15 to 0.25 mass %) is higher than that of the GA bath, the dross which is formed in the GI bath is only the top-dross (Fe 2 Al 5 ).
  • the top-dross is formed in regard to the GI bath where the bath temperature T is 450° C.
  • the top-dross is formed.
  • the coating bath for the zinc-aluminum alloy coated steel sheets even though it is not illustrated only the top-dross is also formed since the Al concentration is sufficiently high (for example, 2 to 25 mass %).
  • the supersaturated state is shifted to the unsaturated state in regard to Fe by increasing the bath temperature T from 450° C. to 465° C., so that the bottom-dross is dissolved in the coating bath and disappears.
  • the unsaturated state is shifted to the supersaturated state in regard to Fe by decreasing the bath temperature T from 465° C. to 450° C., so that the bottom-dross is formed.
  • the factors of the dross formation in the coating bath will be described.
  • the factors of the dross formation the following factors (1) to (3) are considered, for example.
  • each factor will be described.
  • the metal In order to supply the molten metal which is consumed for coating the steel sheet in a coating tub to the coating bath, the metal is used.
  • the metal in a solid state is dipped into the hot coating bath at preferable timing during operation, is melted in the coating bath, and becomes the molten metal in a liquid state.
  • zinc-included-metal which includes at least Zn for hot dip zinc coating
  • the zinc-included-metal includes the metal such as Al and the like besides Zn according to the composition of the coating bath.
  • the melting point of the metal differs according to the composition of the metal, the melting point is 420° C. for example and is lower than the temperature of the coating bath (for example, 460° C.).
  • the temperature of the molten metal around the metal decreases lower than the bath temperature T of the coating bath. Namely, temperature deviation between the temperature (for example, 420° C.) around the metal which is dipped into the coating bath and the bath temperature T (for example, 460° C.) of the coating bath arises.
  • the temperature (for example, 420° C.) around the metal which is dipped into the coating bath and the bath temperature T (for example, 460° C.) of the coating bath arises.
  • the phase of the formed dross is related to the phase diagram (refer to FIG. 1 ).
  • the Fe concentration in the coating bath is the saturated state.
  • the dross is formed by reacting the supersaturated Fe with Zn or Al in the coating bath.
  • the metal is preliminarily melted by using a premelting tub and the molten metal is supplied to the coating bath in the coating tub, the dross is hardly formed because Fe in the premelting tub is the unsaturated state.
  • the fluctuation of the bath temperature T of the coating bath is considered. Since the solubility limit of Fe in the coating bath increases with the increase in the bath temperature T, Fe is further dissolved from the steel sheet which is dipped into the coating bath and Fe in the coating bath reaches the saturated concentration promptly. When the bath temperature T of the coating bath decreases, Fe becomes the supersaturated state all over the coating bath and the dross is promptly formed.
  • the dross is not decomposed (does not disappear), because the dissolution rate of Fe from the steel sheet is faster than that of the decomposition (disappearance) of the dross.
  • the bath temperature of the coating bath which is low temperature (supersaturated state of Fe) increases at the coating tub in which the steel sheet is dipped, the dross hardly disappears.
  • the molten metal which is low temperature and includes the dross is transferred to a tub in which the steel sheet in not dipped, is heated, and is held for long time, the dross can be decomposed (can disappear), because Fe in the coating bath becomes the unsaturated state.
  • the coating bath is transferred to an adjusting tub in which the steel sheet in not dipped, the bath temperature T increases, and the dross is dissolved (disappears).
  • the fluctuation of the Al concentration in the coating bath and the temperature deviation in the coating tub are also considered as the factor of the dross formation.
  • the solubility limit of Fe in the coating bath decreases, so that the top-dross (Fe 2 Al 5 ) which is the intermetallic compound of Al and Fe is readily formed.
  • temperature of the coating bath at bottom of the coating tub decreases, so that the dross is formed. Thereafter, when the coating bath flow increases again, the dross which deposits on the bottom of the coating tub rises in the coating bath.
  • the methods of the flotation separation of the top-dross and of the sedimentation separation of the bottom-dross by using the difference in specific gravity between the molten metal which is the coating bath and the dross are known.
  • the specific gravity of the bottom-dross is, for example, 7000 to 7200 kg/m 3 and the specific gravity of the top-dross is, for example, 3900 to 4200 kg/m 3 .
  • the specific gravity of the molten zinc bath fluctuates to a certain extent by the temperature and Al concentration thereof, it is, for example, 6600 kg/m 3 .
  • FIG. 2 is a graph which indicates the dross growth of each phase under the condition where the bath temperature is constant.
  • horizontal axis is the time (hours to days) and vertical axis is the average grain size of dross particles ( ⁇ m).
  • FIG. 2 indicates the growth of the bottom-dross (FeZn 7 ) which forms in the GA bath and the top-dross (Fe 2 Al 5 ) which forms in the GA bath, the GI bath, and the like.
  • the bottom-dross (FeZn 7 ) grows only from approximately 15 ⁇ m to 20 ⁇ m in the average grain size during 200 hours
  • the top-dross (Fe 2 Al 5 ) grows only from approximately 15 ⁇ m to 35 ⁇ m during 200 hours.
  • Table 1 shows a state of the dross growth when three types of coating baths A to C in which compositions are different are cooled from 460° C. to 420° C. by a predetermined cooling rate (10° C./sec).
  • the rate of formation and growth of the dross is very fast.
  • the bottom-dross (FeZn 7 ) with the grain size of approximately 50 ⁇ m is formed during only 4 seconds.
  • the bottom-dross (FeZn 7 ) with the grain size of approximately 40 ⁇ m and the top-dross (Fe 2 Al 5 ) with the grain size of approximately 10 ⁇ m are formed and mixed.
  • the coating bath C (GI bath) with Al of 0.18 mass % three kinds of the top-dross (Fe 2 Al 5 ) with the grain size of approximately 5 ⁇ m, 10 ⁇ m, and 25 ⁇ m are formed.
  • the bath temperature T is constant (refer to FIG. 2 )
  • the growth rates of both the bottom-dross and the top-dross are slow.
  • the bath temperature T of the coating bath in the coating tub can be kept constant as much as possible, the dross growth in the coating tub can be suppressed.
  • the bath temperature T decreases, the unsaturated state is shifted to the supersaturated state in regard to Fe in the coating bath, so that the growth rates of the dross are very fast (refer to FIG. 2 ).
  • the top-dross is intentionally precipitated in the coating bath of the separating tub, so that it is possible that the top-dross is effectively separated by the flotation.
  • FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams which illustrate flowing situation of the dross in the GA bath.
  • FIG. 3A shows the situation of normal operation where the coating rate is 150 m/min or less and
  • FIG. 3B shows the situation of operation where the coating rate is high-speed (for example, 200 m/min or more).
  • the bottom-dross forms and the bottom-dross with large size among them sediments and deposits on the bottom of the coating tub in turn.
  • the coating rate sheet threading speed of the steel sheet
  • the bottom-dross which deposits on the bottom of the tub does not rise due to the coating bath flow.
  • the coating rate is 100 m/min or more, as shown in FIG. 3A , among the bottom-dross, not only the dross with small size but also the dross with medium size which has relatively large diameter rises from the bottom of the tub due to the bath flow which is derived from the sheet threading, and the dross flows in the coating bath of the coating tub.
  • the coating rate which is conventionally suppressed (for example, 150 m/min or less) in order to ensure the productivity
  • 200 m/min or more for example, as shown in FIG. 3B
  • all the bottom-dross flows regardless of the grain size. Namely, the bottom-dross cannot deposit on the bottom of the tub by the strong bath flow which is derived from high-speed sheet threading, the dross with large size also flows in the coating bath. In other words, unless it is possible that the dross in the coating bath is almost-completely rendered harmless (dross-free), it is difficult to increase the coating rate.
  • the dross defects are defects of the coated steel sheet, are caused by the dross formed in the coating bath, and include appearance deterioration of the coated steel sheet which is derived from dross adhesion, surface defects caused by the dross on roll in the coating bath, and the like, for example.
  • the diameter of the dross which cause the dross defects is 100 ⁇ m to 300 ⁇ m
  • the dross defects caused by the dross with very small size such that grain size is approximately 50 ⁇ m are observed recently. Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of the small dross defects, the dross-free in coating bath is desired.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the manufacturing equipment for the galvannealed steel sheet according to the embodiment
  • FIGS. 5 to 8 are schematic diagrams which illustrate modifications 1 to 4 of the embodiment, respectively.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram which illustrates permissible bath temperature range of each tub in case that the bath temperature of the coating bath 10 A which is stored in the coating tub 1 according to the embodiment is 460° C.
  • the bath temperature and the aluminum concentration of the coating bath which is stored in the coating tub 1 are referred to as T1 and A1 respectively.
  • the bath temperature and the aluminum concentration of the coating bath which is stored in the separating tub 2 are referred to as T2 and A2 respectively
  • the bath temperature and the aluminum concentration of the coating bath which is stored in the adjusting tub 3 are referred to as T3 and A3 respectively.
  • the manufacturing equipment for the galvannealed steel sheet according to the embodiment includes the coating tub 1 to coat the steel sheet 11 , the separating tub 2 to separate the dross, and the adjusting tub 3 to adjust the Al concentration of the coating bath 10 .
  • the hot-dip-coating equipment includes circulator to circulate the molten metal (coating bath 10 ) for coating the steel sheet 11 in order of the coating tub 1 —the separating tub 2 —the adjusting tub 3 —the coating tub 1 .
  • the coating bath 10 is the molten metal including at least molten zinc and molten aluminum, and is the GA bath for example.
  • the circulator includes the molten metal transfer apparatus 5 which is concomitantly installed in at least one of the coating tub 1 , the separating tub 2 , or the adjusting tub 3 , and the vessel for the molten metal which connects mutually between the three tubs (for example, communicating vessel 6 or 7 , transferring vessel 8 , and overflowing vessel 9 ).
  • the molten metal transfer apparatus 5 may be composed by arbitrary apparatus if the molten metal (coating bath 10 ) can be transferred.
  • the molten metal transfer apparatus 5 may be mechanical pump and magneto-hydrodynamic pump.
  • the molten metal transfer apparatus 5 may be concomitantly installed in all the tubs of the coating tub 1 , the separating tub 2 , and the adjusting tub 3 , and may be concomitantly installed in arbitrary one tub or two tubs among the three tubs. However, from a viewpoint of simplifying the equipment configuration, it is preferable that the molten metal transfer apparatus 5 is installed in only one tub and the molten metal is transferred between the three tubs by connecting the remaining tubs by the communicating vessel 6 or 7 , the transferring vessel 8 , the overflowing vessel 9 , and the like. In the embodiment of FIGS.
  • the mechanical pump which transfers the molten metal is installed in the transferring vessel 8 which is the vessel between the coating tub 1 and the adjusting tub 3 .
  • the coating bath which is transferred from the adjusting tub 3 to the coating tub is the purified coating bath in which the dross is almost removed.
  • the coating tub 1 , the separating tub 2 , and the adjusting tub 3 are mutually connected by using the vessel such as the communicating vessel 6 or 7 , the transferring vessel 8 , the overflowing vessel 9 , and the like, in order to circulate the coating bath 10 .
  • the vessel such as the communicating vessel 6 or 7 , the transferring vessel 8 , the overflowing vessel 9 , and the like.
  • it is preferable to suppress erosion of inner wall of the vessel by the bath flow, to prevent a decrease in the temperature and solidification of the bath in the vessel, and the like.
  • the double vessel which equipped with ceramics inside the vessel and to keep warm or heat outer wall of the vessel.
  • the coating tub 1 , the separating tub 2 , and the adjusting tub 3 may be the configuration in which the tubs are independent respectively.
  • the configuration as shown in FIG. 4 in the configuration as shown in FIG. 4 , FIG. 5 (modification 1), and FIG. 8 (modification 4), the coating tub 1 , the separating tub 2 , and the adjusting tub 3 may be the configuration in which the tubs are independent respectively.
  • the coating tub 1 , the separating tub 2 , and the adjusting tub 3 are parallelly installed in the horizontal direction, upper parts of the coating tub 1 and the separating tub 2 are connected by the communicating vessel 6 , lower parts of the separating tub 2 and the adjusting tub 3 are connected by the communicating vessel 7 , and the adjusting tub 3 and the coating tub 1 are connected by the transferring vessel 8 with the molten metal transfer apparatus 5 .
  • the overflowing vessel 9 is installed in upper part side of side wall of the coating tub 1 , and the coating bath 10 A which is overflowed from the coating tub 1 flows down into the separating tub 2 through the overflowing vessel 9 .
  • the coating tub 1 , the separating tub 2 , and the adjusting tub 3 may be functionally independent.
  • the coating tub 1 , the separating tub 2 , and the adjusting tub 3 may be composed by partitioning the inside of single tub with relatively large size into three areas by two weirs 21 and 22 , which may be the configuration in which the three tubs are seemingly unified.
  • the separating tub 2 and the adjusting tub 3 may be composed by partitioning the inside of the single tub into two areas by one weir 23 , the separating tub 2 and the adjusting tub 3 may be unified, and the coating tub 1 may be only independent as the tub configuration. In this way, it is possible to simplify the equipment configuration by unifying three or two tubs among the coating tub 1 , the separating tub 2 , and the adjusting tub 3 .
  • the bath temperature T1 and Al concentration A1 of the coating bath are controlled at the coating tub 1
  • the bath temperature T2 and A1 concentration A2 of the coating bath are controlled at the separating tub 2
  • the bath temperature T3 and Al concentration A3 of the coating bath are controlled at the adjusting tub 3 .
  • temperature controller 1 , temperature controller 2 , and temperature controller 3 which are not illustrated are respectively installed in each of the coating tub 1 , the separating tub 2 , and the adjusting tub 3 , in order to control the bath temperature T1, T2, and T3 of the coating bath which is stored.
  • the temperature controllers are equipped with heating apparatus and bath temperature control apparatus.
  • the heating apparatus heats the coating bath of each tub, and the bath temperature control apparatus controls operation of the heating apparatus.
  • the bath temperature of the coating tub 1 , the separating tub 2 , and the adjusting tub 3 are respectively controlled to the predetermined temperature T1, T2, and T3, by the temperature controller 1 , the temperature controller 2 , and the temperature controller 3 .
  • the sample for aluminum concentration measurement of each tub may be periodically sampled by manpower, it is preferable to respectively equip aluminum concentration analyzer at each tub, in order to independently control the Al concentration of the coating bath in each tub.
  • the aluminum concentration analyzer is composed by sampler for the sample of the aluminum concentration measurement, sensor of the aluminum concentration of the molten metal or alloy, or the like.
  • the aluminum concentration of the sample which is sampled by the sampler may be periodically measured by chemical analyzer, or the aluminum concentration of the coating bath may be continuously measured by the sensor of the aluminum concentration.
  • the Al concentration of the coating bath in each tub is independently controlled by controlling the circulating volume or by supplying first or second zinc-included-metal.
  • the coating bath 10 A flows out from coating bath outlet which is made by the communicating vessel 6 , the overflowing vessel 9 , and the weir 21 and which is located on the upper part of the coating tub 1 and downstream side of running direction of the steel sheet 11 , and the coating bath 10 A flows into the separating tub 2 .
  • This is effective in that the entire coating bath 10 A can be circulated without stagnation of the coating bath 10 A in the coating tub 1 by using the flow of the coating bath 10 A which is derived from the running of the steel sheet 11 .
  • the communicating vessel 7 and the weirs 22 and 23 are installed so that the coating bath 10 B which flows out from the lower part of the separating tub 2 flows into the adjusting tub 3 .
  • the upper part of the coating bath 10 B in the separating tub 2 contains the top-dross by high density as compared with the lower part.
  • the coating tub 1 has the functions of (a) storing the coating bath 10 A which includes the molten metal at the predetermined bath temperature T1, and (b) coating the steel sheet 11 which is dipped in the coating bath 10 A.
  • the coating tub 1 is the tub in which the steel sheet 11 is actually dipped in the coating bath 10 A and in which the steel sheet 11 is coated by the molten metal.
  • the composition and the bath temperature T1 of the coating bath 10 A in the coating tub 1 are maintained within the proper range according to the kind of the coated steel sheets for manufacture. For example, in case that the coating bath 10 A is the GA bath, as shown in FIG. 9 , the bath temperature T1 of the coating tub 1 is kept at approximately 460° C. by the temperature controller 1 .
  • the roll in the coating bath such as sink roll 12 , support roll (not illustrated), and the like is installed, and gas wiping nozzle 13 is installed above the coating tub 1 .
  • the steel sheet 11 with strip-shaped to be coated enters obliquely downward into the coating bath 10 A of the coating tub 1 , traveling direction is changed by the sink roll 12 , the steel sheet 11 is pulled up vertically upward from the coating bath 10 A, and excessive molten metal on the surface of the steel sheet 11 is wiped by the gas wiping nozzle 13 .
  • storage Q1 [ton] (capacity of the coating tub 1 ) of the coating bath 10 A in the coating tub 1 is 5 times or less of circulating volume q [ton/hour] of the coating bath 10 per one hour by the circulator.
  • the storage Q1 of the coating bath 10 A is more than 5 times of the circulating volume q, stagnation time of the coating bath 10 A in the coating tub 1 is prolonged, so that possibility of the formation and growth of the dross in the coating bath 10 A increases.
  • the stagnation time of the coating bath 10 A in the coating tub 1 is controlled to be predetermined time or shorter.
  • the dross is not formed in the coating bath 10 A, or, even if the dross is formed, the coating bath 10 A which contains the dross flows out to the separating tub 2 before the dross grows up to the harmful size.
  • the capacity Q1 of the coating tub 1 is as small as possible, because the coating bath 10 A may stagnate in the tub and the dross may grow up to the harmful size at the stagnation area depending on the shape of the coating tub 1 .
  • part of the coating bath 10 A in the coating tub 1 continuously flows out to the separating tub 2 from the coating bath outlet which is made by the communicating vessel 6 , the overflowing vessel 9 , and the weir 21 .
  • part of the coating bath 10 C flows into the coating tub 1 through the transferring vessel 8 and the like from the adjusting tub 3 as mentioned later. It is preferable that the position where the coating bath 10 C flows into the coating tub 1 is located on upstream side of the running direction of the steel sheet 11 and that the position of the coating bath outlet where the coating bath 10 A flows out to the separating tub 2 is located on the upper part of the coating tub 1 and the downstream side of the running direction of the steel sheet 11 .
  • the local stagnation area of the coating bath 10 A in the coating tub 1 is hard to form.
  • the dross grows up to the harmful size at the local stagnation area in the coating tub 1 .
  • the upstream side of the miming direction of the steel sheet 11 is the side including the entering position of the steel sheet 11 in case of longitudinally-halving the coating tub 1 so as to separate the entering position and the pulling up position of the steel sheet 11 .
  • the downstream side of the running direction of the steel sheet 11 is the side including the pulling up position of the steel sheet 11 in case of longitudinally-halving the coating tub 1 .
  • the separating tub 2 has the functions of (a) storing the coating bath 10 B which is transferred from the coating tub 1 at bath temperature T2 which is lower than the bath temperature T1 of the coating bath 10 A in the coating tub 1 , (b) precipitating only the top-dross by supersaturating Fe in the coating bath 10 B and by increasing the Al concentration of the bath so that the state (bath temperature and composition) of the coating bath is controlled to top-dross formation range, and (c) removing the precipitated top-dross by the flotation separation.
  • the bath temperature T2 of the separating tub 2 is kept at the temperature which is lower 5° C. or more as compared with the bath temperature T1 of the coating tub 1 and is higher than the melting point M (for example, melting point of 420° C. of the GA bath) of the molten metal which is the coating bath 10 (for example, 420° C. ⁇ T2 ⁇ T1 ⁇ 5° C.).
  • the Al concentration A2 in the separating tub 2 is controlled to be higher than the Al concentration A1 in the coating tub 1 .
  • the top-dross can be suitably removed by the flotation separation utilizing the difference in specific gravity.
  • Fe which is dissolved from the steel sheet 11 is included in the coating bath 10 A which flows into the separating tub 2 from the coating tub 1 .
  • the solubility limit of Fe decreases with the decrease in the bath temperature T (from T1 to T2).
  • Fe becomes the supersaturated state in the coating bath 10 B of the separating tub 2 , so that the dross which is equivalent to the amount of the supersaturated Fe is precipitated.
  • the Al concentration A2 of the separating tub 2 it is necessary to control the Al concentration A2 of the separating tub 2 to higher concentration which is at least 0.14 mass % or more (refer to FIG. 1 ).
  • a metal with high Al concentration (correspond to the first zinc-included-metal) is supplied and melted in the separating tub 2 .
  • the metal with high Al concentration includes Al with the concentration higher than the Al concentration A1 (for example, 0.135 mass % Al) of the coating tub 1 and zinc.
  • the Al concentration A2 of the separating tub 2 is controlled to be at least 0.14 mass % or more where the state of the coating bath 10 B becomes the top-dross formation range.
  • the specific gravity of the dross which precipitates in the coating bath 10 B becomes smaller than the specific gravity of the molten metal (coating bath 10 ). Therefore, it is possible that the top-dross is suitably separated by the flotation and easily removed at the separating tub 2 .
  • the bath temperature T2 of the separating tub 2 is decreased to be lower than the bath temperature T1 of the coating tub 1 in order to supersaturate Fe in the bath, and the bath temperature T2 of the separating tub 2 is controlled to be higher than the melting point M of the molten metal in order to avoid the solidification of the coating bath 10 B.
  • top-dross As mentioned above, a large amount of the top-dross is intentionally formed in the coating bath 10 B at the separating tub 2 by decreasing the bath temperature T and by increasing the Al concentration of the coating bath 10 . Since the top-dross rises to top surface of the coating bath 10 B by the difference in specific gravity compared with the coating bath 10 B and is trapped at the top surface, the flotation separation of the top-dross needs the time to a certain extent. Thus, it is preferable that storage Q2 [ton] (capacity of the separating tub 2 ) of the coating bath 10 B in the separating tub 2 is 2 times or more of the circulating volume q [ton/hour] of the coating bath 10 per one hour by the circulator.
  • the time for the flotation separation which is averagely 2 hours or more is obtained from the inflow of the coating bath 10 which flows into the separating tub 2 from the coating tub 1 to the outflow into the adjusting tub 3 .
  • the storage Q2 of the coating bath 10 B in the separating tub 2 is less than 2 times of the circulating volume q of the coating bath 10 per one hour, the time for the flotation separation of the top-dross is not sufficiently obtained, so that the dross removal efficiency decreases.
  • the part of the coating bath 10 A continuously flows into the separating tub 2 from the coating tub 1 through the communicating vessel 6 , the overflowing vessel 9 , and the like, and the part of the coating bath 10 B in the separating tub 2 continuously flows out to the adjusting tub 3 through the communicating vessel 7 and the like.
  • the adjusting tub 3 has the functions of (a) storing the coating bath 10 C which is transferred from the separating tub 2 at bath temperature T3 which is higher than the bath temperature T1 of the coating tub 1 and the bath temperature T2 of the separating tub 2 , (b) dissolving the dross which is contained in the coating bath 10 C by controlling Fe of the coating bath 10 C to be the unsaturated state, and (c) adjusting the bath temperature T3 and the Al concentration A3 of the coating bath 10 C which is transferred to the coating tub 1 in order to keep constantly the bath temperature T1 and Al concentration A1 of the coating tub 1 .
  • the Al concentration A3 of the bath in the adjusting tub 3 is controlled to be higher than the Al concentration A1 (for example, 0.125 to 0.14 mass %) of the bath in the coating tub 1 and lower than the Al concentration A2 (for example, 0.147 mass %) of the bath in the separating tub 2 .
  • the adjusting tub 3 is the tub in which a metal with low Al concentration (correspond to the second zinc-included-metal) is supplied and melted in order to supply the molten metal which is consumed at the coating tub 1 .
  • the adjusting tub 3 also has the functions of reheating the bath temperature T which was lowered in the separating tub 2 and of decreasing and optimizing the Al concentration of the bath in case of increasing the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 .
  • the zinc-included-metal which includes Al with the concentration lower than the Al concentration A2 of the coating bath 10 B in the separating tub 2 or the zinc-included-metal which does not include Al may be supplied and melted in the coating bath 10 C of the adjusting tub 3 as the second zinc-included-metal.
  • the Al concentration A3 of the coating bath 10 C which is transferred from the adjusting tub 3 to the coating tub 1 is preferably controlled (A2>A3>A1), so that it is possible that the Al concentration A1 of the coating bath 10 A in the coating tub 1 is kept constantly to the proper concentration which is suitable for the composition of the intended GA bath.
  • the Al concentration A1 of the coating bath 10 A in the coating tub 1 is controlled to the constant concentration within the range of 0.125 to 0.14 mass %.
  • the bath temperature T3 of the adjusting tub 3 it is necessary to control the bath temperature T3 of the adjusting tub 3 by the temperature controller 3 to the temperature range which does not cause the problem even if the coating bath 10 C flows into the coating tub 1 .
  • the bath temperature T3 is controlled within ⁇ 10° C. on the basis of the temperature in which the difference of the bath temperature decrease ⁇ T fall is added to the bath temperature T1 of the coating tub 1 (T1+ ⁇ T fall ⁇ 10° C. ⁇ T3 ⁇ T1+ ⁇ T fall +10° C.).
  • the difference of the bath temperature decrease ⁇ T fall is the value of the bath temperature decrease of the coating bath 10 which occurs naturally when the coating bath 10 C is transferred from the adjusting tub 3 to the coating tub 1 .
  • the bath temperature T3 of the adjusting tub 3 does not satisfy the temperature range, the bath temperature deviation in the coating tub 1 increases, so that the formation and growth of the dross in the coating tub 1 are promoted. Moreover, the bath temperature T4 of the coating bath 10 C at the inlet of the coating tub 1 becomes within the range of ⁇ 10° C. on the basis of the bath temperature T1 of the coating tub 1 (T1 ⁇ 10° C. ⁇ T4 ⁇ T1+10° C.).
  • the bath temperature T3 of the adjusting tub 3 is controlled to be higher 5° C. or more as compared with the bath temperature T2 of the separating tub 2 (T3 ⁇ T2+5° C.).
  • the bath temperature T1, T2, and T3 of each tub are controlled by an induction heating apparatus and the like, the bath temperature fluctuation of approximately ⁇ 3° C. in general is inevitable because of the limitation of control accuracy. In consideration of the situation of the control accuracy, that is the maximum (+3° C. from the targeted bath temperature) and the minimum ( ⁇ 3° C.
  • the bath temperature T3 (targeted value) of the adjusting tub 3 is higher at least 5° C. or more as compared with the bath temperature T2 (targeted value) of the separating tub 2 .
  • Fe of the coating bath 10 C in the adjusting tub 3 is the unsaturated state. Namely, it is possible that the residual dross with small size which is contained in the coating bath 10 B transferred from the separating tub 2 is certainly dissolved and removed in the adjusting tub 3 .
  • the temperature difference between the bath temperature T3 and T2 is less than 5° C., unsaturated degree of Fe is insufficient, so that the residual dross which flows into the adjusting tub 3 from the separating tub 2 cannot be sufficiently dissolved.
  • storage Q3 [ton] (capacity of the adjusting tub 3 ) of the coating bath 10 C in the adjusting tub 3 is arbitrary and is not limited in particular, if melting the metal, keeping the bath temperature T3, and transferring the bath to the coating tub 1 are possible.
  • the bath temperature decreases locally to the melting point of the metal at minimum around the metal which is dipped into the coating bath 10 C of the adjusting tub 3 , so that the dross forms. Since Fe is the unsaturated state in the coating bath 10 of the adjusting tub 3 , the formed dross is dissolved relatively promptly, so that the dross is harmless in general. However, depending on the unsaturated degree of Fe in the adjusting tub 3 and the time to melt the metal, the formed dross may be undissolved in the coating bath 10 C and may flow out to the coating tub 1 .
  • the premelting tub 4 may be installed in addition to the adjusting tub 3 , and the molten metal which is obtained by melting the metal in the premelting tub 4 may be supplied to the adjusting tub 3 .
  • the molten metal which is preheated to approximately the bath temperature T3 at the premelting tub 4 to the adjusting tub 3 and to prevent the temperature of the coating bath 10 C in the adjusting tub 3 from decreasing locally.
  • the part of the coating bath 10 B continuously flows into the adjusting tub 3 from the separating tub 2 through the communicating vessel 7 and the like, and the part of the coating bath 10 C in the adjusting tub 3 continuously flows out to the coating tub 1 through the transferring vessel 8 and the like.
  • FIG. 10 is the ternary phase diagram which indicates state transition of the coating bath 10 (GA bath) in each tub according to the embodiment.
  • the coating bath 10 (GA bath) is circulated by the circulator which includes the molten metal transfer apparatus 5 , the vessel, and the like in order of the coating tub 1 (for example, bath temperature: 460° C., Al concentration: approximately 0.135 mass %), the separating tub 2 (for example, bath temperature: 440° C., Al concentration: approximately 0.148 mass %), and the adjusting tub 3 (for example, bath temperature: 465° C., Al concentration: approximately 0.143 mass %). And the following processes are simultaneously and parallelly conducted in each tub of the coating tub 1 , the separating tub 2 , and the adjusting tub 3 .
  • the coating bath 10 A which is stored in the coating tub 1 is kept at the predetermined bath temperature T1, and the steel sheet 11 which is dipped in the coating bath 10 A is coated.
  • the coating bath 10 C which is transferred from the adjusting tub 3 flows into the coating tub 1 , and the part of the coating bath 10 A flows out from the coating tub 1 to the separating tub 2 .
  • the Fe concentration reaches approximately the saturated concentration.
  • the stagnation time of the coating bath 10 A in the coating tub 1 is short time (for example, 5 hours or less on average).
  • the dross does not form until the Fe concentration of the coating bath 10 A reaches the saturation point.
  • the stagnation time of the circulating coating bath 10 in the coating tub 1 is shortened. Therefore, it is possible that the dross growth to the harmful size in the coating tub 1 is certainly avoided.
  • the bath temperature T2 of the coating bath 10 B which is stored in the separating tub 2 is kept at the temperature which is lower 5° C. or more as compared with the bath temperature T1 of the coating tub 1 , and the Al concentration A2 of the coating bath 10 B is controlled to higher concentration which is at least 0.14 mass % or more.
  • Fe which is supersaturated in the coating bath 10 B is precipitated as the top-dross, and the bottom-dross with harmless size which is contained in the inflow bath from the coating bath 10 is transformed into the top-dross.
  • the bath temperature T decreases drastically from T1 (460° C.) to T2 (440° C.), and the Al concentration increases from A1 (approximately 0.135 mass %) to A2 (approximately 0.148 mass %).
  • Fe becomes the supersaturated state in the coating bath 10 B of the separating tub 2 , so that the excessive Fe in the coating bath 10 B of the separating tub 2 is precipitated as the top-dross (Fe 2 Al 5 ).
  • the dross forms easily when the bath temperature decreases.
  • the Al concentration A2 of the coating bath 10 B is, for example, 0.14 mass % or more, which is the high concentration where the state of the coating bath 10 B becomes the top-dross formation range under the condition of the bath temperature T2, so that the top-dross only forms and the bottom-dross hardly forms.
  • the top-dross which precipitates in the coating bath 10 B of the separating tub 2 rises to top surface of the coating bath 10 B of the separating tub 2 by the difference in specific gravity compared with the coating bath 10 B (molten zinc bath), and the dross is separated and removed.
  • the Fe concentration of the coating bath 10 B at the outlet of the separating tub 2 is slightly higher concentration than the saturation point of the Fe concentration, because the residual dross with small size which is not completely separated in the separating tub 2 is contained.
  • the capacity Q2 of the separating tub 2 is sufficiently large as compared with the circulating volume q of the bath and the stagnation time of the coating bath in the separating tub 2 is 2 hours or more, most of the top-dross is separated by the flotation and removed outside the system.
  • the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 to be, for example, 0.14 mass % or more, small amount of the metal with high Al concentration (first zinc-included-metal) which includes Al with the concentration higher than the Al concentration A1 of the bath in the coating tub 1 is supplied and melted in the separating tub 2 .
  • the circulation bath which flows out from the separating tub 2 is led to the adjusting tub 3 .
  • the bath temperature T3 of the adjusting tub 3 is kept at the temperature which is higher 5° C. or more as compared with the bath temperature T2 of the separating tub 2 , and the Al concentration A3 of the adjusting tub 3 is controlled to be higher than the Al concentration A1 of the coating tub 1 and lower than the Al concentration A2 of the separating tub 2 .
  • the dross which is contained in the coating bath 10 C is dissolved by controlling Fe of the coating bath 10 C to be the unsaturated state. Thereby, it is possible that the top-dross with small size (residual dross) which cannot be separated in the separating tub 2 is dissolved and removed in the coating bath 10 C in which Fe is the unsaturated state.
  • the bath temperature T increases drastically from T2 (440° C.) to T3 (465° C.), and the Al concentration decreases from A2 (approximately 0.148 mass %) to A3 (approximately 0.143 mass %).
  • Fe becomes exceedingly the unsaturated state in the coating bath 10 C of the adjusting tub 3 , so that the top-dross (Fe 2 Al 5 ) with small size which is residual in the bath is decomposed (dissolved) into Fe and Al relatively promptly and disappears.
  • the coating bath 10 C of the adjusting tub 3 is still the state in which Fe is unsaturated.
  • the metal (second zinc-included-metal) which is to supply the molten metal which is consumed at the coating tub 1 is supplied and melted in the coating bath 10 C of the adjusting tub 3 .
  • the premelting tub 4 may be installed beside the adjusting tub 3 , and the molten metal which is melted in the premelting tub 4 may be supplied to the adjusting tub 3 .
  • the metal with high Al concentration is supplied to the separating tub 2 , the Al concentration of the circulation bath becomes excessive high concentration.
  • the metal which is supplied to the adjusting tub 3 is the zinc-included-metal with low Al concentration or the zinc-included-metal which does not include Al.
  • the Al concentration A3 of the bath in the adjusting tub 3 decreases to be lower than the Al concentration A2 of the separating tub 2 and is controlled to the concentration which is suitable to keep constantly the Al concentration A1 of the coating tub 1 .
  • the coating bath 10 C of the adjusting tub 3 in which the dross is almost not contained and Fe is the unsaturated state is led to the coating tub 1 and is utilized for the coating process as described in above (1). While the coating bath 10 C is transferred from the adjusting tub 3 to the coating tub 1 , the bath temperature T decreases naturally by the difference of the bath temperature decrease ⁇ T fall as described above. In the coating bath 10 C which is transferred from the adjusting tub 3 to the coating tub 1 , the dross is almost not contained and Fe is the unsaturated state.
  • the Fe concentration of the bath reaches gradually approximately 0.03 mass % which is the saturation point at the bath temperature T1 (460° C.).
  • Al is consumed by reacting the steel sheet 11 and the coating bath 10 A.
  • the Al concentration A1 of the coating tub 1 hardly increases and keep at nearly constant value (approximately 0.135 mass %).
  • the coating tub 1 is miniaturized as mentioned above, and the stagnation time of the circulating coating bath 10 in the coating tub 1 is short.
  • the operational fluctuation such as the bath temperature fluctuation occurs to a certain extent in the coating tub 1
  • neither the top-dross nor the bottom-dross is formed in the coating tub 1 until the Fe concentration of the coating bath 10 A reaches the saturation point (for example, 0.03 mass %).
  • the formed dross does not grow up to the harmful size (for example, 50 ⁇ m or more) during the short stagnation time (for example, several hours) in the coating tub 1 , because the dross hardly grows under the condition where the bath temperature is constant (refer to FIG. 2 .).
  • the dross with small size which forms in the coating tub 1 is transferred to the separating tub 2 before the dross grows up to the harmful size, and is removed by the flotation separation.
  • the Fe concentration of the coating bath 10 A in the coating tub 1 varies depending on, for example, the capacity Q1 of the coating tub 1 , the circulating volumes q, dissolvability of Fe, and the like.
  • Fe of the coating bath 10 A can be the unsaturated state (in case that the Fe concentration is less than 0.03 mass %).
  • the dross hardly forms.
  • Fe of the coating bath 10 A also can be slightly the supersaturated state (in case that the Fe concentration is slightly more than 0.03 mass %).
  • the dross which forms in the coating bath 10 A within short time is the small size, the problem such as the dross defects does not occur.
  • the coating bath 10 A of the coating tub 1 can be continuously controlled to the dross-free state.
  • the problems such as the appearance deterioration of the surface of the steel sheet caused by the dross adhesion, surface defects caused by the dross, the roll-slipping caused by the dross precipitation on the surface of the roll in the coating bath, and the like are solvable.
  • the coating bath 10 is circulated in order of the coating tub 1 , the separating tub 2 , and the adjusting tub 3 with the sheet threading. Namely, the dross is removed by not the batch processing but the consecutive processing. Therefore, the coating bath 10 A of the coating tub 1 can be continuously controlled to the dross-free and clean state.
  • the Al concentration in the coating layer of the steel sheet 11 is, for example, 0.3 mass % on average, and is higher than the Al concentration A1 (0.135 mass %) of coating bath 10 A in the coating tub 1 .
  • Al of the coating bath 10 A is concentrated and coated to the coating layer of the steel sheet 11 . Therefore, if the Al concentration of the metal which is supplied to the coating bath 10 is 0.135 mass %, the Al concentration of the coating bath 10 A decreases gradually.
  • Al concentration is maintained by supplying the metal with Al concentration of 0.3 to 0.5 mass % directly to the coating tub.
  • the coating bath 10 is continuously transferred from the adjusting tub 3 to the coating tub 1 .
  • the Al concentration A1 of the coating tub 1 it is necessary to keep supplying the coating bath 10 in which the Al concentration is higher than 0.135 mass % (for example, 0.143 mass %) to the coating tub 1 from the adjusting tub 3 .
  • the Al concentration A3 of the adjusting tub 3 in order to control the Al concentration A3 of the adjusting tub 3 to be approximately 0.143 mass % which is the target, the Al concentration A2 of the separating tub 2 is kept at high concentration (for example, 0.148 mass %) which is higher than A3 by supplying intentionally Al to the separating tub 2 .
  • the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 is controlled to high concentration. Therefore, the metal with high Al concentration (for example, 10 mass % Al-90 mass % Zn) as the first zinc-included-metal is supplied into the separating tub 2 , and the Al concentration A2 of the coating bath 10 B in the separating tub 2 is controlled to high.
  • the amount of Al supplied to the separating tub 2 is equivalent to the total of the amount of Al consumed as the top-dross at the separating tub 2 and the amount of Al consumed as the coating layer of the steel sheet 11 at the coating tub 1 .
  • the metal with low Al concentration and high Zn concentration for example, the zinc-included-metal which is 0.1 mass % Al—Zn or the zinc-included-metal which does not contain Al
  • the Al concentration of the coating bath 10 B transferred from the separating tub 2 to the adjusting tub 3 decreases, and the Al concentration A3 of the coating bath 10 C in the adjusting tub 3 is controlled to approximately the Al concentration (for example, 0.143 mass %) which is intermediate value of the Al concentration A2 of the separating tub 2 and the Al concentration A1 of the coating tub 1 .
  • the Al concentration A1 of the bath in the coating tub 1 can be controlled to the proper concentration (for example, 0.135 mass %) which is suitable for manufacturing the GA.
  • the supply of the coating bath and the composition of the coating bath are controlled by supplying the metal to the separating tub 2 and the adjusting tub 3 . Therefore, it is not necessary to supply the metal directly to the coating tub 1 , so that it is possible to prevent the dross from forming by the change of the bath temperature around the metal.
  • the precipitation and the flotation separation of the top-dross in the bath are promoted by increasing the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 , and the Al concentration of the coating bath which is returned to the coating tub 1 is controlled to the proper concentration by decreasing the Al concentration A3 of the bath in the adjusting tub 3 .
  • FIG. 11 is the ternary phase diagram which indicates the state of the GA bath according to the embodiment.
  • the state (bath temperature and composition) of the coating bath is classified into a bottom-dross formation range, a bottom-dross and top-dross mixed range (hereinafter, referred to as “mixed range”), and a top-dross formation range.
  • the Fe concentration and the bath temperature T of the coating bath are constant, the state of the coating bath transitions in order of the bottom-dross formation range, the mixed range, and the top-dross formation range with the increase in the Al concentration of the bath.
  • the state of the coating bath 10 A (GA bath) in the coating tub 1 is the state S 1 (bath temperature T1: 460° C., the Fe concentration: 0.03 mass %, Al concentration A1: 0.13 mass %) as shown in FIG. 11 .
  • the dross which includes the top-dross precipitates in the separating tub 2 .
  • the bath state transitions to the mixed range unless the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub increases sufficiently, the top-dross and the bottom-dross are formed and mixed.
  • the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 increases sufficiently so that the bath state becomes the top-dross formation range, only the top-dross forms and the bottom-dross hardly forms.
  • the top-dross can be removed by the flotation separation with comparative ease.
  • the bottom-dross cannot be effectively separated by the difference in specific gravity.
  • the bottom-dross flows in the coating bath of the separating tub 2 with the coating bath flow in the separating tub 2 , so that the Fe concentration of the separating tub 2 does not decrease.
  • the bottom-dross formed in the separating tub 2 may flow back to the adjusting tub 3 and further the coating tub 1 with the coating bath flow.
  • all the precipitated dross is to be the top-dross without precipitating the bottom-dross by increasing sufficiently the Al concentration A2 of the bath to high concentration at the separating tub 2 .
  • the GA bath in the coating tub 1 is the state S 1 (Al concentration A1 of the bath: 0.13 mass %, bath temperature T1: 460° C.) as shown in S 1 to S 5 of FIG. 11 .
  • the conditions where the bath state becomes the top-dross formation range when the GA bath is transferred to the separating tub 2 of the bath temperature T2 need to be as follows. (1) In case that the bath temperature T2 of the separating tub 2 is 450° C., the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 is to be 0.147 mass % or more (state S 3 ). (2) In case that the bath temperature T2 is 440° C., the Al concentration A2 of the bath is to be 0.154 mass % or more (state S 5 ).
  • the GA bath in the coating tub 1 is the state S 6 (Al concentration A1 of the bath: 0.14 mass %, bath temperature T1: 460° C.) as shown in S 6 to S 9 of FIG. 11 .
  • the conditions where the bath state becomes the top-dross formation range need to be as follows. (1) In case that the bath temperature T2 of the separating tub 2 is 450° C., the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 is to be 0.143 mass % or more (state S 7 ). (2) In case that the bath temperature T2 is 440° C., the Al concentration A2 of the bath is to be 0.15 mass % or more (state S 9 ).
  • FIG. 12 is a graph which summarizes the conditions of the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 and which indicates the bath conditions where all the precipitated dross is to be the top-dross in the separating tub 2 .
  • the boundary lines L 1 and L 2 indicate the lower limit of the Al concentration A2 of the bath to make all the precipitated dross be the top-dross depending on the bath temperature T2 of the separating tub 2 .
  • L 1 is the boundary line in case that the Al concentration A1 of the GA bath is 0.13 mass %
  • L 2 is the boundary line in case that the Al concentration A1 of the GA bath is 0.14 mass %.
  • the Al concentration A1 of the bath in the coating tub 1 is 0.13 mass % and the bath state (bath temperature T2, Al concentration A2) of the separating tub 2 belongs to the area which is the upper right side of the line L 1 connecting four points, S 2 , S 3 , S 4 , and S 5 , the Al concentration A2 of the bath is higher than the lower limit and the bath state becomes the top-dross formation range, so that only the top-dross precipitates in the separating tub 2 .
  • the bath state of the separating tub 2 belongs to the area which is the upper right side of the line L 2 connecting three points, S 7 , S 8 , and S 9 , the bath state becomes the top-dross formation range, so that only the top-dross precipitates in the separating tub 2 .
  • the conditions of the Al concentration A2 of the bath where all the precipitated dross is to be the top-dross in the separating tub 2 are determined by the state (Al concentration A1, Fe concentration) of the GA bath of the coating tub 1 and the bath temperature T2 of the separating tub 2 .
  • the state of the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 is determined by the state (Al concentration A1, Fe concentration) of the GA bath of the coating tub 1 and the bath temperature T2 of the separating tub 2 .
  • the contribution to precipitate only the top-dross in the separating tub 2 increases with the increase in the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 .
  • the coating bath with high Al concentration flows back to the coating tub 1 .
  • the Al concentration A1 of the bath in the coating tub 1 increases gradually and is out of the intended concentration which is suitable for the GA bath.
  • the adjusting tub 3 is installed between the separating tub 2 and the coating tub 1 , the coating bath 10 B with high Al concentration A2 which is transferred from the separating tub 2 is diluted to the suitable Al concentration in the adjusting tub 3 , and the coating bath is transferred to the coating tub 1 .
  • the adjusting tub 3 it is possible to keep the Al concentration A1 of the bath in the coating tub 1 at the constant concentration which is suitable for the GA bath and to increase the Al concentration A2 of the separating tub 2 to the high concentration.
  • the GA bath with low Al concentration of the bath as compared with the GI bath is targeted, so that the necessity of installing the adjusting tub 3 which readjusts the Al concentration of the coating bath increases. The reason will be described below.
  • the Al concentration A1 of the bath in the coating tub 1 is 0.15 to 0.25 mass % in case that the GI is manufactured by using the GI bath unlike the embodiment, the Al concentration of the circulation bath and the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 also become at least 0.15 mass % or more consequently. Therefore, the bath state of the GI bath in the separating tub 2 always becomes the top-dross formation range (refer to FIG. 1 ). It is possible that the top-dross is precipitated and separated by the flotation at the tub surface by decreasing the bath temperature T2 to be lower than the bath temperature T1 if the ordinary metal is supplied in the separating tub 2 . Therefore, in case of GI bath, it is not necessary to install the adjusting tub 3 for readjusting the bath composition.
  • the Al concentration A1 of the bath in the coating tub 1 is controlled to be 0.125 to 0.14 mass % which is relative low concentration in order to ensure the alloying speed at the coating layer of the steel sheet 11 .
  • the Al concentration A2 of the bath is not sufficiently high, the bath state of the GA bath in the separating tub 2 may become the bottom-dross formation range or the mixed range, so that the risk such that the bottom-dross is precipitated may arise.
  • the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 is increased to the targeted concentration in order to precipitate only the top-dross in the separating tub 2 .
  • the Al concentration of the GA bath is 0.13 mass % and that the dross is precipitated by decreasing the bath temperature T2 to 450° C. in the separating tub 2 , it is possible that only the top-dross is precipitated without precipitating the bottom-dross, only if the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 is 0.147 mass % or more (requirement 1).
  • the inventors investigate the suitable operational conditions by calculating the achievable Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 under the general conditions of the galvannealed operation. As the result, in case that the operation is conducted only by the separating tub 2 without installing the adjusting tub 3 , it becomes clear that both the requirements 1 and 2 are not satisfied and the effective GA operation is not conducted.
  • the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 can only increase to 0.145 mass % when the circulating volume q of the bath is 10 ton/hour and can only increase to 0.140 mass % when the circulating volume q of the bath is 15 ton/hour, by the restriction of the requirement 2.
  • the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 becomes less than 0.147 mass % which is the lower limit required for precipitating only the top-dross, the bottom-dross forms in the separating tub 2 .
  • the circulating volume q of the bath is excessively small such as 6 ton/hour
  • the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 becomes 0.155 mass %, which is higher than 0.147 mass % of the lower limit.
  • the circulating volume q of the bath is excessively small, so that the replacement of the coating bath 10 A in the coating tub 1 needs time. For example, when the capacity of the coating tub 1 is 40 ton, the replacement needs 6.6 hours on average. Therefore, the problem such that the bottom-dross forms in the coating bath 10 A which is stagnated in the coating tub 1 occurs.
  • Sheet width of the steel sheet 11 900 mm
  • Bath temperature T1 of the coating tub 1 460° C.
  • Bath temperature T2 of the separating tub 2 450° C.
  • Al concentration A1 of the bath in the coating tub 1 0.130 mass %
  • Circulating volume q of bath 6 ton/hour, 10 ton/hour, and 15 ton/hour
  • the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 can only increase to 0.136 to 0.144 mass % when the circulating volume q of the bath is any of 6 ton/hour, 8 ton/hour, 10 ton/hour, and 15 ton/hour, by the restriction of the requirement 2.
  • the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 becomes less than 0.147 mass % which is the lower limit required for precipitating only the top-dross, the bottom-dross forms in the separating tub 2 .
  • Sheet width of the steel sheet 11 700 mm
  • Bath temperature T1 of the coating tub 1 460° C.
  • Bath temperature T2 of the separating tub 2 450° C.
  • Al concentration A1 of the bath in the coating tub 1 0.130 mass %
  • Circulating volume q of bath 6 ton/hour, 8 ton/hour, 10 ton/hour, and 15 ton/hour
  • the adjusting tub 3 is not installed, the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 cannot be increased sufficiently by the restriction of the requirement 2, so that the requirement 1 cannot be not satisfied.
  • the method in which the adjusting tub 3 is not installed has the major problem of applicability to the effective GA operation, so that the method cannot be applied to the operation of the GA bath.
  • the Al concentration A3 of the coating bath in which the Al concentration increases at the separating tub 2 is finally adjusted at the adjusting tub 3 .
  • the Al concentration A2 which increases excessively as the separating tub 2 decreases to the Al concentration A3 which is suitable for return to the coating tub 1 .
  • the Al concentration A2 of the separating tub 2 increases to 0.182 mass % when the circulating volume q of the bath is 6 ton/hour, (2) the Al concentration A2 of the separating tub 2 increases to 0.159 mass % when the circulating volume q of the bath is 10 ton/hour, and (3) the Al concentration A2 of the separating tub 2 increases to 0.149 mass % when the circulating volume q of the bath is 15 ton/hour.
  • the Al concentration A2 of the separating tub 2 can be controlled to the concentration sufficiently higher than 0.147 mass % which is the lower limit in consideration of the requirement 1.
  • the Al concentration A2 of the separating tub 2 increases to 0.157 mass % when the circulating volume q of the bath is 6 ton/hour and the Al concentration A2 of the separating tub 2 increases to 0.150 mass % when the circulating volume q of the bath is 8 ton/hour.
  • the Al concentration A2 of the separating tub 2 can be controlled to the concentration sufficiently higher than 0.147 mass % which is the lower limit in consideration of the requirement 1.
  • the Al concentration A3 of the coating bath 10 C decreases by supplying the second zinc-included-metal (zinc-included-metal with low Al concentration or zinc-included-metal which does not include Al) to the adjusting tub 3 .
  • the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 increases sufficiently by supplying the zinc-included-metal with high Al concentration to the separating tub 2 .
  • the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 increases to the high concentration (for example, 0.159 mass %), it is possible that the Al concentration A3 of the bath decreases to the low concentration (for example, 0.145 mass %) by readjusting the concentration of the coating bath 10 C at adjusting tub 3 .
  • the Al concentration A1 of the bath in the coating tub 1 can be continuously controlled to the constant concentration (for example, 0.13 mass %).
  • the effect such that the top-dross is precipitated and separated by the flotation at the separating tub 2 can be obtained under almost all the GA operational conditions.
  • the bath temperature T3 of the adjusting tub 3 to be higher than the bath temperature T2 of the separating tub 2 , the increase in the solubility limit of Fe, the securement of the unsaturated degree of Fe, and thereby the acceleration of dissolving the residual dross in the coating bath 10 C are effectively performed, so that the combined effect such that the dross-free is stably achieved is obtained.
  • the operational condition which satisfies both the requirement 1 and the requirement 2 varies depending on the Al concentration A1 of the bath in the coating tub 1 and the circulating volume q of the bath. Therefore, by controlling the circulating volume q of the bath in accordance with the increase or decrease in the Al concentration A1 of the bath in the coating tub 1 , the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 can be kept to the intended high concentration, and both the requirement 1 and the requirement 2 can be satisfied.
  • the volume of the GA bath which returns from the adjusting tub 3 to the coating tub 1 reduces per unit time, it is possible to control the Al concentration of the GA bath to be the high concentration as compared with that before changing the operational condition. Therefore, it is possible to keep the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 at the high concentration and to control the bath state of the separating tub 2 to be the top-dross formation range.
  • the Al concentration A1 of the bath in the coating tub 1 may be decreased.
  • alloying in the coating layer of the steel sheet 11 becomes easier by decreasing Al to 0.13 mass %.
  • the circulating volume q of the bath may be decreased as compared with that before changing the operational condition in order to precipitate only the top-dross in the separating tub 2 . Since the amount of Al which is supplied to the coating tub 1 decreases per unit time by decreasing the circulating volume q of the bath, Since the Al quantity supplied per unit time at the coating tub 1 is reduced by the fall of this circulating volume of bath q, the balance of the consumption and the supply of Al in the coating tub 1 can be maintained.
  • the Al concentration A2 of the bath in the separating tub 2 is kept at the high concentration which is higher than the lower limit in consideration of the requirement 1, so that both the requirement 1 and the requirement 2 can be satisfied. Therefore, it is possible that the operation is conducted by using the GA bath whose composition is changed in the coating tub 1 and that the top-dross is only precipitated and separated by the flotation in the separating tub 2 .
  • the circulating volume q of the bath may be increased to the volume which is suitable for the Al concentration A1 of the bath after the increase.
  • the circulating volume q of the bath by controlling the transferring volume per unit time by using the molten metal transfer apparatus 5 of the circulator.
  • the circulating volume q which is suitable for the Al concentration A1 of the bath in the coating tub 1 may be obtained by the prior experiment or calculation.
  • the technical feature which combines the conditions (bath temperature T2, Al concentration A2) of the separating tub 2 and the conditions (adjustment of the bath temperature T3 and the Al concentration A3) of the adjusting tub 3 in order to obtain the coating bath which does not contain the harmful dross, cannot be absolutely obtained only from the publically-known techniques which are disclosed in the Patent Documents 1 to 5.
  • the manufacturing equipment and the manufacturing method of the galvannealed steel sheet according to the embodiment were described in detail. According to the embodiment, it is possible that the dross which forms inevitably during manufacturing the hot dip zinc-aluminum coated steel sheets is removed efficiently and effectively at the separating tub 2 and the adjusting tub 3 and is almost-completely rendered harmless. Thereby, the present situation such that the sheet threading speed (coating rate) of the steel sheet 11 is suppressed and the productivity has to be sacrificed in order to prevent the dross from rising in the coating bath 10 is improved, so that the coating rate can be increased and the productivity of the galvannealed steel sheets is improved.
  • the circulation-type hot-dip-coating equipment (correspond to the hot-dip-coating equipment according to the above described embodiment) was installed in the pilot line, the continuous coating tests which manufactures the galvannealed steel sheet (GA) were conducted.
  • the test conditions of the continuous coating test are shown in Table 2.
  • Capacity Q1 of coating tub 10 ton, 20 ton, and 40 ton
  • Capacity Q2 of separating tub 40 ton and 12 ton
  • Circulating volume q of bath 10 ton/hour and 6 ton/hour
  • the continuous coating was conducted for 12 hours under the condition where the intended coating weight was 100 g/m 2 (both sides) and the coating rate was 100 m/min by using the coil with 0.6 mm in sheet thickness and 1000 mm in sheet width. And the difference of the bath temperature decrease ⁇ T fall at transferring the bath from the adjusting tub 3 to the coating tub 1 was 2 to 3° C.
  • the samples were taken by rapid-cooling the bath of each tub at beginning and ending of the coating.
  • the dross type which was contained in the bath and the dross size and the number per unit observed area were investigated.
  • the dross weight per unit cubic volume (dross density) was obtained.
  • the bath of the coating tub 1 was drained, and the existence of the sedimented dross was observed at the bottom of the tub.
  • All tubs were the ceramic pot, and the induction heating was utilized as the heating apparatus of the temperature controller of each tub.
  • the control accuracy of the bath temperature by the temperature controller of each tub was less than ⁇ 3° C.
  • the circulator of the circulation-type hot-dip-coating equipment was configured by the metal pump for transferring the coating bath from the adjusting tub 3 to the coating tub 1 , by the overflow for transferring the coating bath from the coating tub 1 to the separating tub 2 , and by the communicating vessel 7 for transferring the coating bath from the separating tub 2 to the adjusting tub 3 .
  • the metal of 10 mass % Al—Zn was supplied to the separating tub 2 in general in at approximately even intervals. And the metal of 100 mass % Zn was supplied to the adjusting tub 3 as necessary so as to make the bath surface level approximately constant with visual observation.
  • the alloyed metal was directly supplied to the coating tub.
  • Table 3 shows the Al concentration and the Fe concentration of the coating tub, the separating tub, and the adjusting tub as of the lapse of 12 hours
  • Table 4 shows the density of the flowed dross in the coating tub and the visual observed amount of the sedimented dross at the bottom of the coating tub as of the lapse of 12 hours.
  • the targeted values of the dross density were quantitatively verified by analyzing the coating bath which was sampled under the operational conditions where the dross hardly became the problem because the sheet threading speed of the steel sheet 11 was relative low among the present operational conditions for the GA.
  • “0.15 mg/cm 3 or less” as the targeted value of the density of the top-dross and “0.60 mg/cm 3 or less” as the targeted value of the density of the bottom-dross were obtained.
  • the bath temperature difference ⁇ T 1-2 between the bath temperature T1 of the coating tub 1 and the bath temperature T2 of the separating tub 2 is 5° C. or more.
  • the specific gravity of the top-dross is 3900 to 4200 kg/m 3
  • the specific gravity of the bottom-dross is 7000 to 7200 kg/m 3 .
  • Table 5 shows the efficiency of the separation by the difference in specific gravity of the top-dross and the bottom-dross.
  • Circulating volume of bath 40 ton/hour
  • the result of the analysis test is shown in FIG. 13 .
  • the capacity Q2 of the separating tub 2 is 2 times or more of the circulating volume q (40 ton/hour) of the coating bath per one hour, the separation efficiency of the dross becomes 80% or more.
  • the capacity Q2 of the separating tub 2 is less than 2 times of the circulating volume q of the bath, the separation efficiency of the dross decreases drastically. From the result, it turns out that it is preferable that the capacity Q2 of the separating tub 2 is 2 times or more of the circulating volume q of the bath ((Q2/q) ⁇ 2).
  • Criterial bath temperature T1 of the coating tub (intended bath temperature): 460° C.
  • Bath temperature fluctuation ⁇ 5° C. (fluctuated intentionally by controlling the heating output)
  • Circulating volume q of bath 5 to 60 ton/hour
  • the circulating volume q of the bath was kept constant until the coating bath in the coating tub 1 was completely replaced. Specifically, bath circulation was continued until the coating bath of 3 times of the capacity Q1 of the coating tub 1 was circulated and finished.
  • the samples were taken from the coating bath which was overflowed from the coating tub 1 just before each level of the bath circulation test was finished, and the size of the dross which existed in the bath was measured.
  • the bath temperature fluctuation of the coating tub 1 in the actual operation is generally less than the test condition of this time which was ⁇ 5° C., and is approximately ⁇ 3° C.
  • the test was conducted under the condition where the dross tended to form and grow as compared with the general condition.
  • the result of the test is shown in FIG. 14 .
  • the maximum size of the dross which was actually observed was larger than the harmful size (50 ⁇ m). The reason seems that, since the stagnation time of the coating bath in the coating tub 1 was prolonged, the dross notably grew up to the harmful size.
  • the capacity Q1 of the coating tub 1 was 5 times or less of the circulating volume q of the bath per one hour (Q1/q) ⁇ 5)
  • the dross with small size approximately 27 ⁇ m or less
  • the harmful size 50 ⁇ m
  • Criterial bath temperature T1 of the coating tub (intended bath temperature): 460° C.
  • Bath temperature fluctuation ⁇ 5° C. (fluctuated intentionally by controlling the heating output)
  • Circulating volume q of bath 20 ton/hour
  • Inflow bath temperature (T3- ⁇ T fall ): 445 to 480° C. ( ⁇ T fall is the difference of the bath temperature decrease and the bath temperature which decreases naturally when the coating bath 10 C is transferred from the adjusting tub 3 to the coating tub 1 )
  • the circulating volume q of the bath was kept constant until the coating bath in the coating tub 1 was completely replaced. Specifically, bath circulation was continued until the coating bath of 3 times of the capacity Q1 of the coating tub 1 was circulated and finished.
  • the samples were taken from the coating bath which was overflowed from the coating tub 1 just before each level of the bath circulation test was finished, and the size of the dross which existed in the bath was measured.
  • the bath temperature fluctuation of the coating tub 1 in the actual operation is generally less than the test condition of this time which was ⁇ 5° C., and is approximately ⁇ 3° C.
  • the test was conducted under the condition where the dross tended to form and grow as compared with the general condition.
  • FIG. 15 The result of the test is shown in FIG. 15 .
  • the bath temperature deviation T3 ⁇ T fall ⁇ T1: hereinafter, referred to as inflow bath temperature deviation
  • the size of the dross which forms in the coating tub 1 may be larger than the harmful size (for example, 50 ⁇ m).
  • the inflow bath temperature deviation is ⁇ 10° C. or more and 10° C.
  • the inflow bath temperature deviation is ⁇ 10° C. or more and 10° C. or less.
  • the bath temperature T3 of the adjusting tub 3 is within the range of ⁇ 10° C.
  • the bath temperature T3 of the adjusting tub 3 may be within the range of ⁇ 10° C. on the basis of the temperature in which the difference of the bath temperature decrease ⁇ T fall is added to the bath temperature T1 of the coating tub 1 .
  • the present invention can be widely applied to the hot dip zinc-aluminum coated steel sheets which are manufactured by using the coating bath 10 whose specific gravity is higher than the specific gravity of the top-dross (Fe 2 Al 5 ), such as the galvanized steel sheets (GI) for which only the top-dross forms, the zinc-aluminum alloy coated steel sheets, and the like in addition to the galvannealed steel sheets (GA).
  • the coating bath 10 whose specific gravity is higher than the specific gravity of the top-dross (Fe 2 Al 5 ), such as the galvanized steel sheets (GI) for which only the top-dross forms, the zinc-aluminum alloy coated steel sheets, and the like in addition to the galvannealed steel sheets (GA).
  • the applicable scope of the present invention is the hot dip zinc-aluminum coated steel sheets in which the aluminum content is less than 50 mass %.
  • the bath composition of the separating tub 2 and the adjusting tub 3 is intentionally changed like the above mentioned embodiment, and it is possible that the coating bath 10 in which the top-dross is almost not contained by controlling only the bath temperature T.
  • the problems such as the appearance deterioration of the surface of the steel sheet caused by the dross adhesion, surface defects caused by the dross, the roll-slipping caused by the dross precipitation on the surface of the roll in the coating bath, and the like can be solved.
  • the present invention it is possible that the dross which forms inevitably in the coating bath during the manufacture of the galvannealed steel sheet can be removed efficiently and effectively and can be almost-completely rendered harmless. Accordingly, the present invention has significant industrial applicability.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Coating With Molten Metal (AREA)
US13/819,593 2010-09-02 2011-08-09 Manufacturing equipment for galvannealed steel sheet, and manufacturing method of galvannealed steel sheet Active 2031-08-20 US9181612B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2010-196797 2010-09-02
JP2010196797 2010-09-02
PCT/JP2011/068142 WO2012029512A1 (fr) 2010-09-02 2011-08-09 Appareil destiné à produire un alliage d'acier galvanisé et procédé de production associé

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20130156964A1 US20130156964A1 (en) 2013-06-20
US9181612B2 true US9181612B2 (en) 2015-11-10

Family

ID=45772617

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/819,593 Active 2031-08-20 US9181612B2 (en) 2010-09-02 2011-08-09 Manufacturing equipment for galvannealed steel sheet, and manufacturing method of galvannealed steel sheet

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US9181612B2 (fr)
EP (1) EP2599888B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP5037729B2 (fr)
KR (1) KR101355361B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN103080362B (fr)
BR (1) BR112013004910B1 (fr)
MX (1) MX2013002242A (fr)
WO (1) WO2012029512A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
MX343576B (es) 2010-09-02 2016-11-11 Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp * Equipo de fabricacion para lamina de acero galvanizado, y metodo de fabricacion de lamina de acero galvanizado.
JP6962475B2 (ja) * 2018-07-30 2021-11-05 日本製鉄株式会社 溶融亜鉛めっき処理方法、その溶融亜鉛めっき処理方法を用いた合金化溶融亜鉛めっき鋼板の製造方法、その溶融亜鉛めっき処理方法を用いた溶融亜鉛めっき鋼板の製造方法、合金化溶融亜鉛めっき鋼板、及び、溶融亜鉛めっき鋼板
CN113950537B (zh) * 2019-06-13 2024-03-08 日本制铁株式会社 热浸镀锌处理方法、使用该热浸镀锌处理方法的合金化热浸镀锌钢板的制造方法、和使用该热浸镀锌处理方法的热浸镀锌钢板的制造方法
CN110343985B (zh) * 2019-07-16 2021-08-10 四川振鸿钢制品有限公司 一种圆管镀锌装置
US11384419B2 (en) * 2019-08-30 2022-07-12 Micromaierials Llc Apparatus and methods for depositing molten metal onto a foil substrate

Citations (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH02104649A (ja) 1988-10-11 1990-04-17 Kawasaki Steel Corp めっき浴への成分補給方法
JPH02179858A (ja) * 1988-12-28 1990-07-12 Kawasaki Steel Corp 溶融金属めっき浴中の成分濃度調整方法
JPH0499258A (ja) 1990-08-09 1992-03-31 Sumitomo Metal Ind Ltd 溶融亜鉛めっきにおけるドロスの除去方法
JPH05271893A (ja) 1992-03-27 1993-10-19 Sumitomo Metal Ind Ltd 溶融亜鉛めっき鋼板の製造方法と製造装置
JPH05287481A (ja) 1992-04-09 1993-11-02 Kawasaki Steel Corp 鋼帯の連続溶融Ｚｎめっき方法
JPH05295507A (ja) 1992-04-17 1993-11-09 Nkk Corp 溶融金属めっき浴中のドロスの低減装置
JPH08188859A (ja) 1995-01-10 1996-07-23 Sumitomo Metal Ind Ltd 溶融めっき鋼板のドロス付着防止装置
JPH08337858A (ja) 1995-06-09 1996-12-24 Kawasaki Steel Corp 溶融金属めっき方法及び装置
JPH10140309A (ja) 1996-11-12 1998-05-26 Nkk Corp 溶融亜鉛めっき設備におけるドロス除去装置
JPH11286761A (ja) 1998-04-01 1999-10-19 Nkk Corp 溶融亜鉛系めっき装置及び方法
JP2001262306A (ja) * 2000-03-21 2001-09-26 Nisshin Steel Co Ltd Ｚｎ−Ａｌ系めっき浴の成分調整方法および装置
US6426122B1 (en) * 1998-04-01 2002-07-30 Nkk Corporation Method for hot-dip galvanizing
JP2003193212A (ja) 2001-12-27 2003-07-09 Jfe Engineering Kk 溶融めっき金属帯の製造方法および製造装置並びに囲み部材
KR20040057746A (ko) 2002-12-26 2004-07-02 주식회사 포스코 용융도금에서 도금욕 알루미늄 농도의 고정밀 제어방법
JP2008095207A (ja) 1998-04-01 2008-04-24 Jfe Steel Kk 溶融亜鉛系めっき方法およびそのための装置
WO2009098363A1 (fr) 2008-02-08 2009-08-13 Siemens Vai Metals Technologies Sas Installation de galvanisation au trempe d'une bande d'acier
WO2009098362A1 (fr) * 2008-02-08 2009-08-13 Siemens Vai Metals Technologies Sas Procédé de galvanisation au trempé d'une bande d'acier

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP5173887B2 (ja) 2009-02-25 2013-04-03 三菱重工業株式会社 シール材

Patent Citations (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH02104649A (ja) 1988-10-11 1990-04-17 Kawasaki Steel Corp めっき浴への成分補給方法
JPH02179858A (ja) * 1988-12-28 1990-07-12 Kawasaki Steel Corp 溶融金属めっき浴中の成分濃度調整方法
JPH0499258A (ja) 1990-08-09 1992-03-31 Sumitomo Metal Ind Ltd 溶融亜鉛めっきにおけるドロスの除去方法
JPH05271893A (ja) 1992-03-27 1993-10-19 Sumitomo Metal Ind Ltd 溶融亜鉛めっき鋼板の製造方法と製造装置
JPH05287481A (ja) 1992-04-09 1993-11-02 Kawasaki Steel Corp 鋼帯の連続溶融Ｚｎめっき方法
JPH05295507A (ja) 1992-04-17 1993-11-09 Nkk Corp 溶融金属めっき浴中のドロスの低減装置
JPH08188859A (ja) 1995-01-10 1996-07-23 Sumitomo Metal Ind Ltd 溶融めっき鋼板のドロス付着防止装置
JPH08337858A (ja) 1995-06-09 1996-12-24 Kawasaki Steel Corp 溶融金属めっき方法及び装置
JPH10140309A (ja) 1996-11-12 1998-05-26 Nkk Corp 溶融亜鉛めっき設備におけるドロス除去装置
JPH11286761A (ja) 1998-04-01 1999-10-19 Nkk Corp 溶融亜鉛系めっき装置及び方法
US6426122B1 (en) * 1998-04-01 2002-07-30 Nkk Corporation Method for hot-dip galvanizing
JP2008095207A (ja) 1998-04-01 2008-04-24 Jfe Steel Kk 溶融亜鉛系めっき方法およびそのための装置
JP2001262306A (ja) * 2000-03-21 2001-09-26 Nisshin Steel Co Ltd Ｚｎ−Ａｌ系めっき浴の成分調整方法および装置
JP2003193212A (ja) 2001-12-27 2003-07-09 Jfe Engineering Kk 溶融めっき金属帯の製造方法および製造装置並びに囲み部材
KR20040057746A (ko) 2002-12-26 2004-07-02 주식회사 포스코 용융도금에서 도금욕 알루미늄 농도의 고정밀 제어방법
WO2009098363A1 (fr) 2008-02-08 2009-08-13 Siemens Vai Metals Technologies Sas Installation de galvanisation au trempe d'une bande d'acier
WO2009098362A1 (fr) * 2008-02-08 2009-08-13 Siemens Vai Metals Technologies Sas Procédé de galvanisation au trempé d'une bande d'acier
US20100323095A1 (en) * 2008-02-08 2010-12-23 Siemens Vai Metals Technologies Sas Method for the hardened galvanization of a steel strip

Non-Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
"Zinc Bath Management on Continuous Hot-Dip Galvanizing Lines," GalvInfoNote, 2.4.1, Aug. 18, 2009, pp. 1-6, XP055142241.
Decision of Rejection issued in JP 2011-547632, mailed on Sep. 25, 2012.
Extended European Search Report dated Oct. 22, 2014 for European Application No. 11821530.0.
International Search Report issued in PCT/JP2011/068138, mailed on Sep. 6, 2011.
International Search Report issued in PCT/JP2011/068142, mailed on Sep. 6, 2011.
Office Action dated Jul. 29, 2014 for Korean Application No. 10-2013-7005791 with English language translation.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR112013004910B1 (pt) 2019-12-31
EP2599888A1 (fr) 2013-06-05
WO2012029512A1 (fr) 2012-03-08
BR112013004910A2 (pt) 2016-05-03
JP5037729B2 (ja) 2012-10-03
EP2599888A4 (fr) 2014-11-19
CN103080362A (zh) 2013-05-01
MX2013002242A (es) 2013-06-05
KR20130028800A (ko) 2013-03-19
KR101355361B1 (ko) 2014-01-23
JPWO2012029512A1 (ja) 2013-10-28
US20130156964A1 (en) 2013-06-20
CN103080362B (zh) 2014-09-03
EP2599888B1 (fr) 2017-03-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9181612B2 (en) Manufacturing equipment for galvannealed steel sheet, and manufacturing method of galvannealed steel sheet
US6770140B2 (en) Apparatus for hot dip galvanizing
US8464654B2 (en) Hot-dip galvanizing installation for steel strip
US9487852B2 (en) Manufacturing equipment for galvanized steel sheet, and manufacturing method of galvanized steel sheet
JP5449196B2 (ja) 鋼ストリップの浸漬亜鉛めっき方法
US20110265604A1 (en) Method and device for controlling the introduction of several metals into a cavity designed to melt said metals
JPH11323519A (ja) 溶融亜鉛系めっき装置及び方法
JPH09104957A (ja) 溶融亜鉛めっき設備におけるドロス除去装置および方法
JPH11286761A (ja) 溶融亜鉛系めっき装置及び方法
JP2003231958A (ja) 溶融金属めっき鋼板の製造装置
JP4691821B2 (ja) 溶融亜鉛めっき方法および装置
JPH09170058A (ja) 溶融金属浴槽および溶融金属めっき方法
RU2463378C2 (ru) Установка для цинкования погружением стальной полосы
JPH11256298A (ja) 溶融亜鉛めっき設備におけるドロス除去装置および方法
JPH0925548A (ja) 溶融金属めっきにおける溶融金属中の浮遊不純物除去方法
JPH1072653A (ja) 溶融亜鉛めっき設備におけるドロス除去装置および方法

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION, JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:OKADA, NOBUYOSHI;HOSHINO, MASANORI;SAKATOKU, ATSUSHI;REEL/FRAME:029892/0067

Effective date: 20130218

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

MAFP Maintenance fee payment

Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 4TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1551); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

Year of fee payment: 4

AS Assignment

Owner name: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION, JAPAN

Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:049257/0828

Effective date: 20190401

MAFP Maintenance fee payment

Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 8TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1552); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

Year of fee payment: 8